Chapter 7 6
Thus Belial with words clothed in reasons garb
Counsell'd ignore ease, and peaceful sloath,
Not peace: and after him thus Mammon spake.
Either to disinthrone the King of Heavn
We warr, if Warr be best, or to regain [ 230 ]
Our own right lost: him to unthrone we then
May hope when everlasting Fate shall yeild
To fickle Chance, and Chaos judge the strife:
The former vain to hope argues as vain
The latter: for what place can be for us [ 235 ]
Within Heavns bound, unless Heavns Lord supream
We overpower? Suppose he should relent
And publish Grace to all, on promise made
Of new Subjection; with what eyes could we
Stand in his presence humble, and receive [ 240 ]
Strict Laws imposd, to celebrate his Throne
With warbld Hymns, and to his Godhead sing
Forct Halleluiahs; while he Lordly sits
Our envied Sovran, and his Altar breaths
Ambrosial Odours and Ambrosial Flowers, [ 245 ]
Our servile offerings. This must be our task
In Heavn, this our delight;
Eternity so spent in worship paid
To whom we hate. Let us not then pursue
By force impossible, by leave obtained [ 250 ]
Unacceptable, though in Heavn, our state
Of splendid vassalage, but rather seek
Our own good from our selves, and from our own
Live to our selves, though in this vast recess,
Free, and to none accountable, preferring [ 255 ]
Hard liberty before the easy yoke
Of servile Pomp. Our greatness will appeer
Then most conscious, when great things of small,
Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
We can create, and in what place so ere [ 260 ]
Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain
Through labor and insurance. This deep world
Of darkness do we dread? How oft amidst
Thick clouds and dark doth Heavns all-ruling Sire
Choose to reside, his Glory unobscurd, [ 265 ]
And with the Majesty of darkness round
Covers his Throne; from whence deep thunders roar
Musting thir rage, and Heavn resembles Hell?